The cause of a fire in the 800 block of Rapids Street Sunday night has not been determined.
Three pets, a dog and two ferrets, perished in the blaze, Lieutenant Bryan Hollowell of the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department said this morning. The homeowners were not injured.
Firefighters received the call shortly after 9:15 p.m. and observed smoke and fire showing from the front room of the residence at 813 Rapids Street.
Firefighters contained the blaze within 30 minutes. A total of 19 firefighters from stations 1 and 2, as well as off-duty firefighters, responded.
Most of the fire was found in the flooring and under the house, Hollowell said. With extensive smoke and heat damage, he said firefighters believe the house is a total loss.
The Red Cross has been contacted to provide lodging accommodations and other assistance. “We’re praying for the family and for their losses,” Hollowell said. “We’d like to thank Roanoke Rapids Police Department, Halifax EMS and Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad for their assistance.”